U.S. patent application number 13/392696 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for microcrystalline alloy, method for production of the same, apparatus for production of the same, and method for production of casting of the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA SCHOOL FOUNDATION. Invention is credited to Yuichi Furukawa, Yoshiki Tsunekawa.
Application Number | 20120168040 13/392696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43447375 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120168040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Furukawa; Yuichi ; et
al. |
July 5, 2012 |
MICROCRYSTALLINE ALLOY, METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF THE SAME,
APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF
CASTING OF THE SAME
Abstract
During a process of cooling a hypereutectic Al--Si alloy melt,
ultrasonic vibration is applied to the melt to crystallize primary
crystal .alpha.-Al using, in combination, an ultrasonic transducer
(8) that generates the ultrasonic vibration, an ultrasonic horn (7)
that is connected to the ultrasonic transducer (8) and transmits
the ultrasonic vibration in a specified direction, a treatment
vessel (2) that holds the melt and is in contact with the
ultrasonic horn (7), and a treatment vessel fixing device (3) that
fixes the treatment vessel (2) by pressing the treatment vessel
toward the ultrasonic horn (7).
Inventors: |
Furukawa; Yuichi;
(Toyota-shi, JP) ; Tsunekawa; Yoshiki;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
TOYOTA SCHOOL FOUNDATION
Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken
JP
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
43447375 |
Appl. No.: |
13/392696 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 2, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2010/001891 |
371 Date: |
February 27, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
148/538 ;
148/437; 266/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C22F 3/02 20130101; C22C
23/04 20130101; C22C 21/06 20130101; C22F 1/047 20130101; C22C
21/02 20130101; C22F 1/043 20130101; C22F 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
148/538 ;
148/437; 266/233 |
International
Class: |
C22F 1/043 20060101
C22F001/043; C22B 9/00 20060101 C22B009/00; C22C 21/02 20060101
C22C021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2009 |
JP |
2009-197167 |
Claims
1. An alloy that has a microcrystalline structure that is obtained
by applying a melting step, applying a pressure to an alloy melt
during a process of cooling the melt, quenching the melt after an
eutectic temperature is reached, thereby a nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al phase is crystallized, and then by crystallizing a fine
primary crystal, wherein the alloy is one of an Al--Si alloy, an
Al--Mg alloy and a Mg--Zn alloy.
2. The alloy according to claim 1, wherein the alloy is the Al--Si
alloy or the Al--Mg alloy, and the primary crystal is
.alpha.-Al.
3. The alloy according to claim 2, wherein the alloy is the Al--Si
alloy.
4. The alloy according to claim 3, wherein the Si content in the
Al--Si alloy is 12% or higher.
5. The alloy according to claim 4, wherein the Al--Si alloy is
hypereutectic.
6. The alloy according to claim 1, wherein the primary crystal is a
refined, generally spherical crystal.
7. The alloy according to claim 1, wherein the pressure is applied
using ultrasonic cavitation that is generated in the melt by
applying ultrasonic vibration to the melt.
8. A method for the production of an alloy that has a
microcrystalline structure, comprising: a melting step in which an
alloy is melted to obtain an alloy melt; a pressure applying step
in which a pressure is applied to the melt during a process of
cooling the melt; and p1 a cooling step in which the melt is
quenched after an eutectic temperature is reached, thereby a
nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase is crystallized, wherein the alloy
is one of an Al--Si alloy, an Al--Mg alloy and a Mg--Zn alloy.
9. The production method according to claim 8, wherein the alloy is
the Al--Si alloy or the Al--Mg alloy; and .alpha.-Al that is the
fine primary crystal is crystallized in the pressure applying
step.
10. The production method according to claim 9, wherein the alloy
is the Al--Si alloy.
11. The production method according to claim 10, wherein the Al--Si
alloy is hypereutectic.
12. The production method according to claim 8, wherein, in the
pressure applying step, the pressure is applied using ultrasonic
cavitation that is generated in the melt by applying ultrasonic
vibration to the melt.
13. An alloy that is produced by the production method according to
claim 8.
14. A production apparatus for the production of an alloy that has
a microcrystalline structure, wherein a fine primary crystal is
crystallized by applying ultrasonic vibration to an alloy melt
during a process of cooling the melt, wherein the melt is quenched
after an eutectic temperature is reached, thereby a nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al phase is crystallized, said production apparatus
comprising: an ultrasonic transducer that generates the ultrasonic
vibration; an ultrasonic transmitter that is connected to the
ultrasonic transducer and transmits the ultrasonic vibration in a
specified direction; a treatment vessel that holds the melt and is
in contact with the ultrasonic transmitter; and a treatment vessel
fixing device that fixes the treatment vessel by pressing the
treatment vessel against the ultrasonic transmitter, wherein the
ultrasonic vibration is applied to the melt via the treatment
vessel, and wherein the alloy is one of an Al--Si alloy, an Al-Mg
alloy and a Mg--Zn alloy.
15. The production apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the
alloy is the Al--Si alloy or the Al--Mg alloy, and the primary
crystal is .alpha.-Al.
16. The production apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the
alloy is the Al--Si alloy.
17. A method for the production of a casting of an alloy having a
microcrystalline structure, comprising: a melting step in which an
alloy is melted to obtain an alloy melt; a pressure applying step
in which a pressure is applied to the melt during a process of
cooling the melt; a casting step in which casting of the alloy
casting is carried out using the melt in which a fine primary
crystal has been formed during the cooling process; and a quenching
in which the melt is quenched after an eutectic temperature is
reached, thereby a nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase is crystallized,
wherein the alloy is one of an Al--Si alloy, an Al--Mg alloy and a
Mg--Zn alloy.
18. The production method according to claim 17, wherein the alloy
is the Al--Si alloy or the Al--Mg alloy, and the primary crystal is
.alpha.-Al.
19. The production method according to claim 18, wherein the alloy
is the Al--Si alloy.
20. The production method according to claim 17, wherein the
casting is centrifugal casting.
21. The production method according to claim 17, wherein a member
that has a sliding surface in a cylinder block is produced as the
alloy casting.
22. The production method according to claim 17, wherein the
casting is die casting.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a microcrystalline alloy, a
method for the production of the alloy, an apparatus for the
production of the alloy, and a method for the production of a
casting of the alloy. The present invention is directed, in
particular, to an Al--Si alloy.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] It is widely known that when a liquid is irradiated with
ultrasonic waves, an acoustic stream or ultrasonic cavitation is
generated in the liquid. Many applications of ultrasonic waves to
metal liquid-phase processes have also been reported, and, above
all, refinement of a solidification structure by ultrasonic waves
has been conventionally known. It is also said that a physical
phenomenon such as ultrasonic cavitation closely relates to
refinement of metal crystal grains, and applying ultrasonic
vibration to a casting process has become common knowledge.
[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
7-278692 (JP-A-7-278692) describes a method for the production of a
hypereutectic Al alloy die-cast member that has an Si content of 20
to 40%. The production method achieves refinement of coarse
acicular primary crystal Si by immersing an ultrasonic vibrator
into a melt of a material and applying ultrasonic vibration to the
melt through the ultrasonic vibrator to produce a die cast member
that has high strength.
[0006] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-102807
(JP-A-2006-102807) describes a method for reforming a metal
structure. In this method, ultrasonic vibration is applied to a
molten metal in a mold from a horn located a specified distance
away from the surface of the molten metal. Then, fine nuclei are
formed in the molten metal and dendrites of the primary crystal are
destroyed, resulting in a fine solidification structure.
[0007] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-90459
(JP-A-7-90459) describes an abrasion-resistant aluminum alloy and a
method for the production of the alloy. The machinability and hot
workability of the alloy are improved by reducing the Si content to
a value that is lower than those of conventional aluminum alloys
and adding P instead, and by properly setting the contents of Mn,
Ni, Cr, and Zr.
[0008] However, only the refinement of the primary crystal Si can
be achieved by the technique that is described in JP-A-7-278692,
and the refinement of primary crystal .alpha.-Al cannot be achieved
by the technique. In addition, since the ultrasonic vibrator is
immersed into the melt, the ultrasonic vibrator is deteriorated by
adhesion of the melt.
[0009] Also, with the technique that is described in
JP-A-2006-102807, microcrystalline grains cannot be refined while
macrocrystalline grains can be refined.
[0010] Further, the technique that is described in JP-A-7-90459 is
a method for refining the primary crystal Si by applying chemical
means such as additives, and it is expected that various components
that are added as additives cause various problems such as poor
recyclability, increase in workload for preparation and control of
the additives, segregation during casting, chipping during
machining, and corrosion and diffusion during use. In addition,
addition of such additives can achieve the refinement of the
primary crystal Si but cannot achieve the refinement of the primary
crystal .alpha.-Al.
[0011] In other words, with the above crystal refinement techniques
that employ an ultrasonic vibration method, only the refinement of
macrocrystalline grains can be achieved, and it is difficult to
achieve the refinement of a microcrystalline structure.
Specifically, in order to achieve the refinement of the
microcrystalline structure, a technique is required by which the
primary crystal .alpha.-Al can be crystallized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides an alloy that has a
microcrystalline structure wherein a microcrystalline structure is
refined by crystallization of a primary crystal, a method for the
production of the alloy, an apparatus for the production of the
alloy, and a method for the production of a casting of the
alloy.
[0013] A first aspect of the present invention is an alloy that has
a microcrystalline structure that is obtained by applying a
pressure to an alloy melt during a process of cooling the melt and
then by crystallizing a fine primary crystal. An Al--Si alloy is an
example of the alloy. Meanwhile, the .alpha.-Al is an example of
the primary crystal.
[0014] Since the primary crystal .alpha.-Al is crystallized by
applying a pressure to an Al--Si alloy melt during a process of
cooling the melt to obtain the microcrystalline structure, the
crystallization range of Si becomes significantly narrower so that
the Si is refined, resulting in an Al--Si alloy that has improved
mechanical characteristics.
[0015] The pressure may be applied using ultrasonic cavitation that
is generated in the melt by applying ultrasonic vibration to the
melt.
[0016] Since the primary crystal .alpha.-Al is crystallized by
applying a pressure to the melt using ultrasonic cavitation to
obtain the microcrystalline structure, the crystallization range of
Si becomes significantly narrower so that the Si is refined,
resulting in an Al--Si alloy that has improved mechanical
characteristics.
[0017] The Al--Si alloy may be hypereutectic.
[0018] A second aspect of the present invention is a method for the
production of an alloy that has a microcrystalline structure, which
includes a melting step in which an alloy is melted to obtain an
alloy melt; a pressure applying step in which a pressure is applied
to the melt in the cooling process the melt; and a cooling step in
which the melt is quenched. As an example of the alloy, there may.
be mentioned an Al--Si alloy.
[0019] Since primary crystal .alpha.-Al is crystallized by applying
a pressure to an Al--Si alloy melt during a process of cooling the
melt to obtain the microcrystalline structure, the crystallization
range of Si becomes significantly narrower so that the Si is
refined, resulting in an Al--Si alloy that has improved mechanical
characteristics.
[0020] The Al--Si alloy may be hypereutectic.
[0021] In the pressure applying step, the pressure may be applied
using ultrasonic cavitation that is generated in the melt by
applying ultrasonic vibration to the melt.
[0022] Since the primary crystal .alpha.-Al is crystallized by
applying a pressure to the melt using ultrasonic cavitation to
obtain the microcrystalline structure, the crystallization range of
Si becomes significantly narrower so that the Si is refined,
resulting in an Al--Si alloy that has improved mechanical
characteristics.
[0023] A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a
production apparatus for the production of an alloy that has a
microcrystalline structure wherein a fine primary crystal is
crystallized by applying ultrasonic vibration to an alloy melt
during a process of cooling the melt. The production apparatus
includes: an ultrasonic transducer that generates the ultrasonic
vibration; an ultrasonic transmitter that is connected to the
ultrasonic transducer and transmits the ultrasonic vibration in a
specified direction; a treatment vessel that holds the melt and is
in contact with the ultrasonic transmitter; and a treatment vessel
fixing device that fixes the treatment vessel by pressing the
treatment vessel against the ultrasonic transmitter, in which the
ultrasonic vibration is applied to the melt via the treatment
vessel. As an example of the alloy, there may be mentioned an
Al--Si alloy. As an example of the primary crystal, there may be
mentioned .alpha.-Al.
[0024] Since the apparatus is configured to apply ultrasonic
vibration to the melt in a non-contact manner without immersing the
ultrasonic transmitter in the melt, contamination of the melt
through the ultrasonic transmitter and deterioration of the
ultrasonic transmitter by adhesion of melt can be prevented, and
the yield and the service life of the apparatus can be
improved.
[0025] A fourth aspect of the present invention includes: a melting
step in which an alloy is melted to obtain an alloy melt; a
pressure applying step in which a pressure is applied to the melt
during a process of cooling the melt; and a casting step in which
casting of the alloy casting is carried out using the melt in which
a fine primary crystal has been formed during the cooling process.
As an example of the alloy, there may be mentioned an Al--Si alloy.
As an example of the primary crystal, there may be mentioned
.alpha.-Al.
[0026] By forging the alloy in which the primary crystal .alpha.-Al
has been formed, a casting that has a high strength, a high
toughness, and an abrasion resistance can be obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The foregoing and further objects, features and advantages
of the invention will become apparent from the following
description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to represent
like elements and wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a side view that illustrates an overall
configuration of an experimental apparatus (ultrasonic vibration
apparatus) that applies ultrasonic vibration to an Al--Si alloy
melt to solidify it according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are photographs that show the
microstructure in a cross-section of each of samples that were
solidified without application of ultrasonic vibration, and FIGS.
2D, 2E and 2F are photographs that show the microstructure in a
cross-section of each of sono-solidified samples to which
ultrasonic vibration was applied until the completion of eutectic
solidification, wherein FIGS. 2A and 2D are photographs of Al-7
mass % Si alloy samples, FIGS. 2B and 2E are photographs of Al-12
mass % Si alloy samples, and FIGS. 2C and 2F are photographs of
Al-18 mass % Si alloy samples;
[0030] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are photographs that show the
microstructure of each of Al-18 mass % Si alloys that were formed
by quenching (cooling with water) from different temperature
conditions, wherein FIG. 3A is a photograph that shows the
microstructure that was formed by quenching from 578.degree. C.,
FIG. 3B is a photograph that shows the microstructure that was
formed by quenching 1 s after the eutectic temperature was reached,
and FIG. 3C is a photograph that shows the microstructure that was
formed by quenching 20 s after the eutectic temperature was
reached;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a photograph that shows the microstructure of an
Al-18 mass % Si alloy that was formed by quenching (cooling with
water) from 578.degree. C. without application of ultrasonic
vibration;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a photograph that shows the eutectic crystal of an
Al-18 mass % Si alloy that is obtained by mechanical stirring
without application of ultrasonic vibration;
[0033] FIGS. 6A and 6B are photographs that show the microstructure
of each of Al-18 mass % Si alloys at the bottom of samples that
were formed by quenching (cooling with water) from different
temperature conditions under ultrasonic vibration, wherein FIG. 6A
is a photograph that shows the microstructure that was quenched
from 582.degree. C., and FIG. 6B is a photograph that shows the
microstructure that was quenched from 578.degree. C.;
[0034] FIG. 7 shows Al--Si system equilibrium diagrams at normal
and elevated pressures;
[0035] FIGS. 8A and 8B are views that show the intensity profile of
Si--K.alpha. in a cross-section of each .alpha.-Al phase, wherein
FIG. 8A shows an intensity profile of an Al-7 mass % Si alloy that
was solidified without application of ultrasonic vibration, and
FIG. 8B shows an intensity profile of an Al-18 mass % Si alloy that
was solidified under ultrasonic vibration;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates variations in
microhardness (Vickers hardness) of .alpha.-Al grains that depend
on the Si content;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a view that shows chemical compositions of Al--Si
alloys (mass %);
[0038] FIG. 11 is a view that shows physical properties of Al and
Si; and
[0039] FIG. 12 is a view that illustrates a production flow of an
Al-18 mass % Si alloy that has a microstructure that is shown in
FIG. 3C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0040] An experimental apparatus to which a method for the
production of a microcrystalline Al--Si alloy according to an
embodiment of the present invention is applied is described with
reference to FIG. 1. It should be noted that while an embodiment of
the present invention is described with reference to an apparatus
that experimentally produces a microcrystalline Al--Si alloy in
this embodiment, the present invention is not specifically limited
to the configuration of this apparatus and the same effects as
those of the present invention can be achieved when a casting
device or the like is constituted to have the configuration similar
to the experimental apparatus according to this embodiment.
[0041] An experimental apparatus 10 (which is hereinafter referred
to as "apparatus 10") is an apparatus that is configured to
solidify a metal melt in a cooling process while applying
ultrasonic vibration thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10
is equipped with an ultrasonic generator 1, a treatment vessel 2, a
treatment vessel fixing device 3, a thermocouple 4, upper and lower
plates 5 and 6, and a melt water-cooling device and a timer (which
are not shown). A process of solidifying a metal melt in the
cooling process while applying ultrasonic vibration thereto is
hereinafter referred to as "sono-solidification".
[0042] The ultrasonic generator 1 includes an ultrasonic horn 7 as
an ultrasonic transmitter, and an ultrasonic transducer 8 that is
coupled to a lower part of the ultrasonic horn 7.
[0043] The ultrasonic horn 7 is a resonator that is made of a metal
(made of Ti-6 Al-4V (mass %) alloy) and is adapted to transmit
vibration energy, which is generated by the ultrasonic transducer 8
in a specified direction (in a direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
1 in this embodiment), to an object to which the vibration energy
is to be transmitted. The ultrasonic horn 7 has an upper end
surface on which the bottom of the treatment vessel 2 as the object
to which the vibration energy is to be transmitted can be placed in
contact therewith, and an outer peripheral surface that is formed
in the shape of fins to improve air-cooling efficiency of the horn
itself. The ultrasonic transducer 8 is connected to a
high-frequency power source via an ultrasonic oscillator (which is
not shown) and is capable of generating ultrasonic vibration with
specific vibration conditions.
[0044] The treatment vessel 2 is a cup-shaped crucible that is made
of a metal (a vessel that is made of SUS304 and has an upper inside
diameter of 40 mm, an inside bottom diameter of 30 mm, and an
effective depth of 33 mm), and can hold a specified amount of a
melt (Al--Si alloy melt in this embodiment). The expression "a
specified amount of a melt," in this case, means that the treatment
vessel 2 contains the melt but is not full to the brim so that
there is a specific distance between the melt surface and the upper
end surface of the treatment vessel 2 when ultrasonic vibration is
applied to the melt.
[0045] The treatment vessel fixing device 3 is an air cylinder that
has a rod 3a which can extend and contract vertically, and a buffer
3b at an end of the rod 3a that holds the upper end of the
treatment vessel 2 when the rod 3a extends downward (toward the
treatment vessel 2). The treatment vessel fixing device 3 can
fixedly hold the treatment vessel 2 by extending the rod 3a of the
air cylinder downward until the lower side of the buffer 3b abuts
against the upper end of the treatment vessel 2 and pressing the
upper end of the treatment vessel 2 toward the ultrasonic horn 7 at
a specified pressure.
[0046] The thermocouple 4 is a melt temperature meter, and can be
immersed into the melt that is held in the treatment vessel 2 to
measure the melt temperature at a specified position in the melt.
The thermocouple 4 is connected to a measuring and recording device
(which is not shown), and the measuring and recording device can
monitor and record the measured melt temperature continuously. The
crystalline state that is formed during a process of cooling the
melt can be known based on the melt temperature that is measured by
the thermocouple 4, and, as a result, a material that has a desired
crystalline structure can be obtained.
[0047] The upper plate 5 fixedly supports the air cylinder as the
treatment vessel fixing device 3. The lower plate 6 fixedly
supports the ultrasonic horn 7 and the ultrasonic transducer 8. In
addition, the upper and lower plates 5 and 6 are disposed with a
specified distance maintained therebetween, and are placed such
that the lower plate 6 is located at a resonant antinode of the
ultrasonic transducer 8 when ultrasonic vibration is being
applied.
[0048] The melt water-cooling device can quench the melt under
specified conditions (temperature and time), and can solidify the
melt into any desired crystalline structure by properly adjusting
the conditions.
[0049] The timer measures the time that is taken to reach a cooling
step in which the melt is quenched. The timer is used in time
management to improve the reliability of the crystalline structure
formation (reproducibility of the crystalline structure).
[0050] By constructing the apparatus 10 as described above, when
the air cylinder is driven to cause the buffer 3b to fixedly hold
the upper end of the treatment vessel 2 and the ultrasonic
transducer 8 is vibrated under specified vibration conditions by
the ultrasonic oscillator (which is not shown) after the treatment
vessel 2 into which a specified amount of melt has been poured is
placed on the upper end of the ultrasonic horn 7, ultrasonic
vibration can be applied to the melt in a non-contact manner (in a
state where the melt and the ultrasonic horn 7 are not in direct
contact with each other) and ultrasonic cavitation (bubbles) and an
acoustic stream can be generated in the melt in the treatment
vessel 2. That is, the apparatus 10 can transmit ultrasonic
vibration to the melt in the treatment vessel 2 by applying
ultrasonic vibration to the bottom surface of the treatment vessel
2 that is pressed against the upper end surface of the ultrasonic
horn 7. The apparatus 10 can therefore apply ultrasonic vibration
to the melt in a non-contact manner. In other words, since the
apparatus 10 applies ultrasonic vibration to the melt in a
non-contact manner without directly immersing the ultrasonic horn 7
into the melt, contamination of the melt through the ultrasonic
horn 7 and deterioration of the ultrasonic horn 7 by adhesion of
melt can be prevented and the yield and the service life of the
apparatus can be improved. In addition, the apparatus 10 is also a
pressure applying apparatus that applies a specified pressure to
the melt by using the ultrasonic cavitation, and can apply a
localized pressure in the melt with high efficiency. It should be
noted that, while the apparatus 10 uses ultrasonic cavitation that
is induced by ultrasonic vibration as a pressure applying apparatus
in this embodiment, the present invention is not particularly
limited thereto and may employ a system in which the entire melt is
integrally pressurized by a specified pressure device, for example.
Experiments that were conducted, to obtain a microcrystalline
Al--Si alloy using the above-described apparatus 10 as examples of
the present invention are described below in detail.
EXAMPLES
Experimental Method:
[0051] The outline of the apparatus 10, which was used to apply
ultrasonic vibration to the metal melt in this example, is shown in
FIG. 1. When ultrasonic vibration was applied to the melt in the
treatment vessel (crucible) 2, the bottom surface of the treatment
vessel 2 was pressed against the end face of the ultrasonic horn 7
using the buffer 3b and the air cylinder. By applying ultrasonic
vibration to the bottom surface of the treatment vessel 2, which
was in pressure contact with the end face of the ultrasonic horn 7,
the ultrasonic vibration was transmitted to the melt in the
treatment vessel 2. The ultrasonic vibration applying conditions
were an output of 2,000 W, a total amplitude of 20 .mu.m, and a
resonance frequency of 20 kHz. The total amplitude of 20 .mu.m was
a measurement that was obtained when no load was exerted on the end
of the horn. As sample alloys, in addition to a hypereutectic Al-18
mass % Si alloy, a hypoeutectic Al-7 mass % Si alloy, an almost
eutectic Al-12 mass % Si, and hypereutectic Al-25 mass % Si alloys
were used (the notation "mass %" is hereinafter omitted). The
chemical compositions of these commercially available alloy ingots
are summarized in FIG. 10.
[0052] The hypereutectic Al-18 Si alloy and the Al-25 Si were
melted at 730.degree. C. and 830.degree. C., respectively, and
teemed at 690.degree. C. and 760.degree. C., respectively. The
hypoeutectic Al-7 Si alloy and the almost eutectic Al-12 Si alloy
were melted at 730.degree. C. and teemed at 640.degree. C. No grain
refiner was added to any of the Al--Si alloy melts, and Ar was
blown from an end of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 pipe for 0.9 ks as a
degassing operation. In every case, approximately 65 g of the melt
was teemed into the treatment vessel 2, and ultrasonic vibration
started to be applied immediately after the teeming. When the melt
reached a specified temperature, the melt, together with the
treatment vessel 2, was quenched into water to preserve the
microstructure. A type K thermocouple was used to continuously
measure and record the temperature of the melt in the cooling
process. The temperature measurement and structure observation were
made at a point almost in the center of the sample, which is on the
center line of the vessel and 8 mm away from the bottom of the
vessel unless otherwise noted. Temperature measurement and
structure observation were also made at a lower point (3 mm away
from the bottom surface) and a higher point (13 mm) in some of the
sono-solidification experiments.
[0053] To verify only the influence of the acoustic stream that was
induced in the melt by ultrasonic vibration, a vortex flow was
created in the melt by mechanical stirring and crystallization of
.alpha.-Al during the process of solidification of the
hypereutectic Al--Si alloy was observed. In the mechanical stirring
experiments for the purpose, an vessel that is made of SUS304, the
same vessel as the above mentioned one that was used for the
sono-solidification was used, and a two-propeller stirrer (which is
not shown) was rotated at 23 s.sup.-1 (1400 rpm) to create a
stirring flow. Then, after mechanically stirring the melt until the
melt underwent partial eutectic solidification, the melt, together
with the vessel, was cooled with water. A line analysis with
Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) was conducted to compare the
Si contents in a primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase that appears in a
normally solidified hypoeutectic Al--Si alloy and in a
nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase that is crystallized in the
hypereutectic Al--Si alloy by sono-solidification. In preparing
samples, the melts were quenched into water immediately after the
completion of eutectic solidification to avoid a change in the Si
concentration during the cooling process, and EPMA analysis was
performed on the cross-sections of the samples. The microhardness
(Vickers hardness) of the .alpha.-Al phases that were crystallized
in the hypoeutectic and hypereutectic Al--Si alloys were also
measured. The samples for hardness measurement were not quenched
but air-cooled to room temperature, however.
[0054] The results and considerations of the experiments are
described below.
Change in Microstructure by Sono-Solidification
[0055] Differences in solidification structure among the
hypoeutectic Al-7 Si, eutectic Al-12 Si, and hypereutectic Al-18 Si
alloys that depend on whether or not ultrasonic vibration was
applied are shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2F. The upper column shows the
microstructures in a cross-section of the sono-solidified samples
to which ultrasonic vibration was not applied, and the lower column
shows the microstructures in a cross-section of the sono-solidified
samples to which ultrasonic vibration was applied until the
completion of eutectic solidification. In each of the
microstructures that are shown in FIG. 2A to FIG, 2F, white regions
are .alpha.-Al phase regions, and gray regions are Si phase
regions. In the hypoeutectic composition in FIG. 2A that was
solidified without application of ultrasonic vibration, a dendritic
primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase has grown, and relatively large
eutectic Si grains are found between the dendrite arms. In the
eutectic composition that is shown in FIG. 2B, dendrite of the
primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase has grown because the chemical
composition of the sample was slightly hypoeutectic and because the
cooling rate was high. In the case of the hypereutectic composition
that is shown in FIG. 2C, .alpha.-Al regions are found around
primary crystal Si grains that have grown to large sizes, and
eutectic Si has grown to relatively large sizes. On the contrary,
in the sono-solidified hypoeutectic Al-7 Si alloy structure that is
shown in FIG. 2D, the primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase, which was
dendritic, has become granular (generally spherical). In each of
the eutectic Al-12 Si that is shown in FIG. 2E and the
hypereutectic Al-18 Si that is shown in FIG. 2F, crystallization of
a large number of granular .alpha.-Al phase regions that look white
is particularly notable (the average grain diameter of .alpha.-Al
is 54 .mu.m, the number of grains of .alpha.-Al per 0.08 mm.sup.2
is 33 to 55, and the average grain diameter of Si is 10 .mu.m in
FIG. 2E; the average grain diameter of .alpha.-Al is 54 .mu.m, the
number of grains of .alpha.-Al per 0.08 mm.sup.2 is 33 to 55, and
the average grain diameter of Si is 20 to 50 .mu.m (average grain
diameter is 35 .mu.m) in FIG. 2F). As a result, eutectic structure
regions were significantly decreased. In the case of the Al-12 Si,
slight crystallization of massive Si, which is different from
eutectic Si, is also found. In the case of the hypereutectic
composition, the primary crystal Si, which was coarse when
ultrasonic vibration was not applied, was pronouncedly refined by
sono-solidification. In the case of sono-solidification, the
eutectic Si, which was in a plate shape, was transformed into fine
grains irrespective of the Si content. Conclusions that can be
drawn from the above are as follows. When the hypoeutectic Al-7 Si
is sono-solidified, the primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase is
transformed from the dendritic to granular form, and the eutectic
structure regions is decreased. In the eutectic composition,
massive Si grains, which are different in form from eutectic Si
grains, appear along with crystallization of granular .alpha.-Al
phase that is excessive as compared with that in an equilibrium
state. In the hypereutectic composition, crystallization of the
distinctive nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase is observed in addition
to refinement of primary crystal Si grains. It is believed that not
only the primary crystal is refined but also the eutectic
solidification is influenced by sono-solidification. The process of
crystallization of the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase by
sono-solidification is described below using primarily a
hypereutectic Al-18 Si alloy.
Crystallization of Nonequilibrium Granular .alpha.-Al Phase
[0056] Since the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase, which is not
crystallized in hypereutectic Al-18 Si alloys under normal
circumstances, was formed by sono-solidification, an experiment to
identify the exact time of crystallization of the nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al phase was first conducted. Sample melts that had been
solidified to different solid phase rates under ultrasonic
vibration were quenched into water. As a representative example,
the microstructures in the central part of sono-solidified and
quenched samples (8 mm away from the bottom surface) are shown in
the order of the progress of solidification in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C.
In the case of FIG. 3A, which shows the microstructure of a sample
that was quenched from a temperature immediately above the eutectic
temperature, .alpha.-Al phase regions that have grown from the
interfaces between the primary crystal Si grains are found in
addition to refined primary crystal Si grains. For comparison, a
hypereutectic Al-18 Si alloy melt without ultrasonic wave treatment
was quenched from a temperature immediately above the eutectic
temperature (578.degree. C.). The microstructure in the central
part thereof is shown in FIG. 4. The .alpha.-Al phase regions are
found at the interfaces between the primary crystal Si grains, and
some of them have grown to a dendritic form. It is believed that a
liquid phase was present around the primary crystal Si at the
temperature immediately above the eutectic temperature before
quenching. It is, therefore, not clear from FIG. 3A, which shows
the microstructure of a sono-solidified sample, whether or not
crystallization of the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase took place
at the temperature immediately above the eutectic temperature. FIG.
3B shows a structure that was quenched is after the eutectic
temperature was reached, and FIG. 3C shows a structure that was
quenched 20 s after the eutectic temperature was reached (see the
flow that is shown in FIG. 12). It should be noted that, in the
case of the sono-solidification in this example, time for the
eutectic solidification of the Al-18 Si alloy melt was
approximately 45 s. In FIG. 3B, not only refined primary crystal Si
grains but also the granular .alpha.-Al phase are clearly found,
and it is therefore believed that nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al grains
were present since before quenching. In FIG. 3C, the numbers of
granular .alpha.-Al phase regions and Si grains are further
increased. When the hypereutectic Al-18 Si alloy melt is
sono-solidified, crystallization of nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al
grains occurs in the central part of the sample immediately after
the eutectic temperature is reached, and its number increases
rapidly with the progress of eutectic solidification.
Crystallization of Granular .alpha.-Al Phase by Mechanical
Stirring
[0057] The number of nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al grains, which are
not crystallized in hypereutectic Al--Si alloys under normal
circumstances, increases with the progress of eutectic
solidification. However, it was not clear from the observation of
the structure in the central part of the sono-solidified sample
whether the crystallization of nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase
started before the eutectic temperature was reached. As a similar
solidification phenomenon, a separated eutectic structure, which is
formed when an almost eutectic Al--Si alloy melt is solidified
under mechanical stirring and in which massive Si grains are
present independently from the .alpha.-Al phase, has been reported.
The explanation is that the .alpha.-Al phase and Si grains are
separately present because eutectic Si is forcibly peeled off from
the solidification interface where Si/.alpha.-Al coexist by a
stirring flow during the process of eutectic solidification. Thus,
to clarify the stirring effect of an acoustic stream, an experiment
using mechanical stirring, which is considered to generate less
ultrasonic cavitation, was conducted. Using the same experimental
apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, an Al-18 Si alloy melt is solidified
up to an intermediate stage of eutectic crystallization under
mechanical stirring by a propeller and without application of
ultrasonic vibration. A resulting representative microstructure is
shown in FIG. 5. Crystallized .alpha.-Al grains, in addition to
refined primary crystal Si and eutectic regions where Si/.alpha.-Al
coexist, are found to be formed by the mechanical stirring. It is
possible to crystallize the Si phase and .alpha.-Al phase in a
partially separated state by applying mechanical stirring during
the process of eutectic solidification of the Al-18 Si alloy. When
sono-solidification is substituted for the solidification using
mechanical stirring, the .alpha.-Al phase may be separately
crystallized during the process of eutectic solidification of the
hypereutectic Al--Si alloy, that is, at the eutectic temperature
(577.degree. C.), by the effect of the acoustic stream.
Crystallization of Granular .alpha.-Al Phase at Temperature Equal
to or Higher than Eutectic Temperature
[0058] In the microstructure at the bottom of the sample that was
quenched from a temperature immediately above the eutectic
temperature during the process of sono-solidification,
crystallization of nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al grains was clearly
found to have occurred in contrast to the microstructure in the
central part thereof, which is shown in FIG. 3A. For example,
microstructures at the bottom of sono-solidification samples that
were quenched from 582.degree. C. and 578.degree. C., respectively,
which are higher than the eutectic temperature, are shown in FIG.
6A and FIG. 6B. Crystallization of refined primary crystal Si
grains and the granular .alpha.-Al phase, in addition to a fine
dendritic .alpha.-Al phase that is believed to have crystallized
from the melt during the cooling process, is found to have occurred
not only in the structure in FIG. 6B that was quenched from
578.degree. C. but also in the structure in FIG. 6A that was
quenched from 582.degree. C., which is 5.degree. C. higher than the
eutectic temperature. It is believed that the granular .alpha.-Al
phase grains at the bottom of the sample were already present in
the liquid phase immediately before the quenching because it has a
grain size of about 30 .mu.m.
[0059] The melt temperatures at points which were on the sample
center line and 3 mm, 8 mm and 13 mm away from the bottom were
continuously recorded during the process of sono-solidification.
When ultrasonic vibration was not applied, the temperatures at the
upper, lower and intermediate points reached the eutectic
temperature. There was a difference between a time at which the
temperature at the upper point reached the eutectic temperature and
a time at which the temperature at the intermediate point reached
the eutectic temperature, and the time difference was about 5 s.
However, on the cooling curve during the process of
sono-solidification, there was almost no difference in the time at
which the eutectic temperature was reached between the upper,
intermediate and lower points because of the stirring effect of the
acoustic stream. It is, therefore, believed that, in
sono-solidification, not only primary crystal Si grains but also
the granular .alpha.-Al phase had been crystallized in the
pre-eutectic liquid phase at the bottom of the vessel before the
eutectic temperature was reached because there was no difference in
the time at which the eutectic temperature was reached between the
points. It can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 6A and FIG.
6B that the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase grew to a granular form
and its number increased with the progress of cooling. Even in
sono-solidification, however, there was a difference in the time
that was taken for the completion of the eutectic solidification
between the upper, intermediate and lower points. It is believed
that the completion of eutectic solidification in the central part
delays because the melt becomes more difficult to be stirred as the
eutectic solidification progresses and thus as the solid phase rate
increases. As described above, the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase
was crystallized in the area near the bottom surface of the sample
before the eutectic temperature was reached. This experiment result
cannot be explained by the separated eutectic solidification that
is induced by an acoustic stream at the eutectic temperature.
Role of Cavitation in Sono-Solidification
[0060] To investigate the effect of ultrasonic cavitation, a
vibration experiment was conducted in which vibration was applied
to a transparent glass vessel (wall thickness: 1 mm, not shown)
with an inside diameter of 25 mm and a depth of 50 mm which was
filled with pure water using the ultrasonic vibration system (the
apparatus 10) that is shown in FIG. 1. As a result, ultrasonic
cavitation bubbles were vigorously generated on and around the
bottom surface of the glass vessel, which was in contact with the
vibrating end surface. It is believed that cavitation occurs
intensely on the bottom surface of the vessel, which is close to
the vibrating end and provides effective nucleus generating sites.
It is known that the interfaces of cavitation bubbles can be
solidification nucleus generating sites and that a high pressure of
1 GPa or higher is generated when cavitation bubbles collapse.
Here, a change in the melting point (dT/dP) with increase in
pressure can be estimated using Clausius-Clapeyron equation
(1).
dT/dP=T.sub.m(V.sub.liq-V.sub.sol)/.DELTA.H.sub.m (1)
where T.sub.m represents the melting point, V.sub.liq and V.sub.sol
represent the molar volumes of liquid and solid, respectively
[(V.sub.liq-V.sub.sol)/V.sub.sol=.DELTA.V.sub.m], and
.DELTA.H.sub.m represents the molar latent heat of fusion. Physical
properties of Al and Si are summarized in the table of FIG. 11.
Since solid Al has a higher density than liquid Al and the opposite
is true for Si, the pressure dependency of the melting point is
calculated as 62.degree. C./GPa for Al and -41.degree. C./GPa for
Si. That is, since an Al melt has an elevated melting point at high
pressure, it exists in a liquid form at normal pressure but in a
solid form at high pressure. Al--Si system equilibrium diagrams at
high pressure have been reported, and one example thereof is shown
in FIG. 7. Since it is believed that a local high-pressure field
with a pressure of 1 GPa or higher is generated in the melt in a
region close to the bottom surface of the vessel where cavitation
bubbles are concentrated, an equilibrium diagram at a high pressure
of 2.8 GPa is shown over an equilibrium diagram at normal pressure
in FIG. 7. It can be seen that the liquidus temperature of the
.alpha.-Al solid solution increases and that the Si content at the
eutectic point also increases at a high pressure of 2.8 GPa. At
normal pressure, the Si content in the melt approaches 12.6 mass %
from 18 mass % with a decrease in temperature in the temperature
range in which primary crystal Si is crystallized from the Al-18 Si
alloy melt. It is believed that, even in the case of the
sono-solidification in this example, .alpha.-Al grains as a
nonequilibrium phase can be crystallized even at a temperature
equal to or higher than the eutectic temperature (577.degree. C.)
since a local high-pressure field is generated in a lower region of
the sample. There is a possibility that the nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al grains that have been crystallized near the bottom
surface of the treatment vessel 2 are transported to the center of
the sample by the acoustic stream and disappear before the eutectic
temperature is reached. This may explain .alpha.-Al grains were not
clearly observed in the central part (FIG. 3A) of the sample that
was quenched from a pre-eutectic temperature. However, when the
temperature decreases to the eutectic temperature, the crystallized
nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al grains are not remelted and can
exist.
[0061] That is, in the region where ultrasonic cavitation bubbles
are concentrated, a local high-pressure field with a pressure of 1
GPa or higher is generated in the melt and, as a result, refinement
of the microstructure can be controlled by displacement of the
eutectic point.
Si Content and Hardness Characteristics of Nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al Phase
[0062] It is expected from the equilibrium diagram at high pressure
in FIG. 7 that when a hypereutectic Al-18 Si alloy is solidified at
high pressure, the solute Si content in the nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al phase becomes higher than the value at normal pressure.
That is, it is believed that the local high-pressure field that is
created by ultrasonic cavitation crystallizes the nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al phase and increases the Si content in the .alpha.-Al
phase. To verify the cavitation effect, the Si content in the
.alpha.-Al phase in a sono-solidified Al-18 Si alloy was measured
by EPMA line analysis. For comparison, the Si content in a primary
crystal .alpha.-Al phase of an Al-7 Si alloy which had been
solidified without application of ultrasonic vibration was measured
under the same conditions. The results are summarized in FIG. 8A
and FIG. 8B. In the case of the Al-7 Si alloy that is shown in FIG.
8A, the Si content in the primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase is the
lowest in the central part. It can be understood from the
equilibrium diagram at normal pressure that is shown in FIG. 7 that
when the primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase grows, .alpha.-Al with a
high Si content which is crystallized at a low temperature
surrounds the .alpha.-Al that has been crystallized at a high
temperature. In the .alpha.-Al phase that has been crystallized in
the sono-solidified Al-18 Si alloy that is shown in FIG. 8B, the Si
content in the central part is higher than the corresponding value
in the primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase that is shown in FIG. 8A.
As in the equilibrium diagram at 2.8 GPa that is shown in FIG. 7,
the solidus of the .alpha.-Al phase moves rightward at high
pressure, and the Si solubility limit in the .alpha.-Al phase
increases. It is believed that the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase
that was crystallized during the process of sono-solidification in
this example was crystallized in the local high-pressure field that
was generated when the ultrasonic cavitation bubbles collapse, and
it is therefore believed that a high Si content as seen in the
equilibrium diagram at high pressure was obtained. It is, however,
believed that the high Si content regions were limited in crystal
nuclei near the center and that the Si content became almost
uniform with the growth of the .alpha.-Al phase. Since the
nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase, which is peculiar to
sono-solidification, has a higher Si content than primary crystal
.alpha.-Al that is crystallized with a hypoeutectic composition,
improvement in mechanical properties can be expected. The Vickers
hardnesses of the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase that appeared in
the sono-solidified hypereutectic Al--Si alloy and the primary
crystal .alpha.-Al phase of a normal Al-7 Si alloy were measured.
The results are shown in FIG. 9. The .alpha.-Al grains that were
crystallized as a nonequilibrium phase in the hypereutectic Al--Si
alloy is harder than the primary crystal .alpha.-Al phase in the
hypoeutectic composition. That is, the sono-solidified
hypereutectic Al--Si alloy has toughness that is derived from the
nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase, and is expected to have many
applications as a novel abrasion-resistant material that contains
fine primary crystal Si grains.
[0063] As described above, a sono-solidification experiment was
conducted in which sample melts were solidified under ultrasonic
vibration using, primarily, a hypereutectic Al-18 mass % Si alloy,
and the following conclusions were obtained. (1) When a
hypereutectic Al--Si alloy is sono-solidified, not only the primary
crystal Si is refined but also a large number of grains of a
nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase are crystallized. Because of the
crystallization of the granular .alpha.-Al phase, the eutectic
regions that include Si/.alpha.-Al are significantly reduced. (2)
Intense generation of cavitation was observed in the vicinity of
the bottom surface of the vessel in which the alloy was
sono-solidified. A local high-pressure field that is generated by
the collapse of cavitation bubbles increases the liquidus
temperature of the .alpha.-Al phase and raises the Si solubility
limit in the .alpha.-Al phase. The generation of the local
high-pressure field allows crystallization of the nonequilibrium
.alpha.-Al phase even at a temperature equal to or higher than the
eutectic temperature (577.degree. C.). (3) As can be expected from
the equilibrium diagram at high pressure, the Si content in the
nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase that has been crystallized by
sono-solidification is higher than that in the primary crystal
.alpha.-Al phase of a normally solidified hypoeutectic Al--Si
alloy. As described above, in the case of sono-solidification of a
hypereutectic Al--Si alloy, since a nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase
with a high Si content is crystallized at a temperature equal to or
higher than the eutectic temperature, it is believed that the local
high-pressure field that is generated by the collapse of ultrasonic
cavitation bubbles plays a dominant role in the formation of the
.alpha.-Al phase.
[0064] Based on the above experimental results, it is possible to
form a microcrystalline structure in which granular .alpha.-Al has
been crystallized and eutectic regions that include Si/.alpha.-Al
have been significantly reduced (FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C) by melting an
Al-18 Si alloy, which is a hypereutectic Al--Si alloy (Si: 12% or
more), applying a local pressure to the melt under specific
vibration conditions (frequency: 20 kHz, total amplitude: 20 .mu.m)
during the cooling process to solidify the melt using the apparatus
10, which has been described before, to induce sono-solidification
of the melt, and quenching the melt at a temperature equal to or
higher than the eutectic temperature. In addition, as described
above, the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase, which is peculiar to
sono-solidification, has a higher Si content than the primary
crystal .alpha.-Al phase of a normally solidified hypoeutectic
Al--Si alloy. Moreover, since the hypereutectic Al--Si alloy has a
higher Si content, _in other words, contains a larger amount of Si
component that can improve the abrasion resistance, than primary
crystal .alpha.-Al that is crystallized with a hypoeutectic
composition, it is possible to improve the mechanical
characteristics of the resulting solidified Al--Si alloy by
controlling the process of crystallization and to cast the alloy
with its abrasion resistance and toughness controlled.
[0065] As in the description of the above experiment, the method
for the production of a microcrystalline Al--Si alloy according to
this embodiment includes a melting step in which an Al--Si alloy is
melted to obtain an Al--Si alloy melt, a pressure applying step in
which a pressure is applied to the melt during a process of
cooling, the melt, and a cooling step in which the melt is
quenched. Since the primary crystal .alpha.-Al is crystallized by
applying a pressure to the Al--Si alloy melt during a process of
cooling the melt to obtain a microcrystalline structure, the
crystallization range of Si becomes significantly narrower and the
Si is refined, resulting in an Al--Si alloy with improved
mechanical characteristics.
Casting Using Melt in which Primary Crystal .alpha.-Al Has Been
Formed
[0066] The method for the production of a microcrystalline Al--Si
alloy that is described in the above example is applicable to
casting and forging. Some specific application examples are
described below.
[0067] First, a casting method is described in which casting is
carried out utilizing the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al grains that are
formed (crystallized) in the Al--Si alloy melt during the process
of sono-solidification of the melt as described before. While a
microstructure as shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C can be
obtained by sono-solidification of an Al-18 Si alloy melt
(730.degree. C.) under specific vibration conditions as described
before, it is possible to produce a casting (casting product) that
has such a microstructure by employing the same method as described
above in casting.
[0068] A main flow of the method for the production of a
microcrystalline Al--Si alloy casting according to this embodiment
includes a melting step in which an Al--Si alloy is melted to
obtain an Al--Si alloy melt, a pressure applying step in which a
pressure is applied to the melt during a process of cooling the
melt, and a casting step in which casting of an Al--Si alloy
casting is carried out using the melt in which primary crystal
.alpha.-Al has been formed during the cooling process. The melting
step and the pressure applying step in the flow are the same as
those in the method for the production of a microcrystalline Al--Si
alloy that has been described before. A melt purifying step in
which degassing of the melt or removal of impurities (slag removal)
is carried out may be provided between the melting step and the
pressure applying step.
[0069] First, the apparatus to which the method for the production
of an Al--Si alloy casting is applied is required to be .equipped
with the apparatus 10, which has been described before, or an
ultrasonic vibration apparatus that has the same configuration as
the apparatus 10, and a casting device for the intended purpose
such as centrifugal casting or die casting or a forging device
(casting/forging process). The ultrasonic vibration apparatus and
the casting device may be integrally constituted so that the
production of the casting can continuously be carried out.
[0070] In the casting step, the melt that has been through the
sono-solidification process is teemed into a specified mold, and
the mold is cooled under specified cooling conditions (such as a
condition to quench (cool with water) the mold). Examples of the
casting method for use in the casting step include die casting and
centrifugal casting. That is, in the casting step, casting is
carried out by teeming the melt that has been through the
sono-solidification process by the ultrasonic vibration apparatus
(melt in which nuclei of the primary crystal .alpha.-Al have been
formed) into a mold.
[0071] Flows of some application examples are shown below. The
steps in each flow primarily correspond to the steps that have been
described before (melting step.fwdarw.melt purifying
step.fwdarw.pressure applying step.fwdarw.casting step), and their
description are not repeated.
Application Example 1
Fine Si Surface Crystallization Method
[0072] Melting an Al-18 Mass % Si at 730.degree.
C..fwdarw.Purifying the Melt (Degassing, Slag
Removal).fwdarw.Applying Ultrasonic Vibration (20 kHz, 20
.mu.m).fwdarw.Centrifugal Casting after 578.degree. C. is
Reached.
Application Example 2
High-Strength Casting Production Method
[0073] Melting an Al-18 Mass % Si at 730.degree.
C..fwdarw.Purifying the Melt (Degassing, Slag
Removal).fwdarw.Applying Ultrasonic Vibration (20 kHz, 20
.mu.m).fwdarw.Die-Casting after the Temperature Reaches 578.degree.
C.
[0074] When Application Example 1 is employed, the crystallized
primary crystal Si moves toward the center (inside) of the casting
as shown in FIG. 3A. As a result, abrasion resistance can be
imparted to a desired portion of a member that has a sliding
surface therein, for example, a member that has a sliding surface
such as a cylinder block. When Application Example 2 is employed,
the existence of the crystallized primary crystal Si increases the
strength of the casting structure as shown in FIG. 3A.
Application Example 3
Production of Abrasion-Resistant Material on which the Gradient Si
Layer is Deposited
[0075] Melting an Al-18 Mass % Si at 730.degree.
C..fwdarw.Purifying the Melt (Degassing, Slag
Removal).fwdarw.Applying Ultrasonic Vibration (20 kHz, 20
.mu.m).fwdarw.Centrifugal Casting after 577.degree. C. is
Reached.
Application Example 4
Thixomolding
[0076] Melting an Al-18 Mass % Si at 730.degree.
C..fwdarw.Purifying the Melt (Degassing, Slag
Removal).fwdarw.Applying Ultrasonic Vibration (20 kHz, 20
.mu.m).fwdarw.Die Casting after 577.degree. C. is Reached.
[0077] When Application Example 3 is employed, the crystallized
primary crystal Si moves toward the center (inside) of the casting
as shown in FIG. 3B, and the eutectic Si further moves toward the
center (inside) of the casting as compared with Application Example
1. As a result, the higher abrasion resistance can be imparted to a
desired portion of a member that has a sliding surface therein, for
example, a member that has a sliding surface such as a cylinder
block, as compared with the case where Application Example 1 is
employed. When Application Example 4 is employed, a thixomolding
material that has a thixotropic effect can be obtained.
Application Example 5
Production of High Strength Al Forging Product
[0078] Melting an Al-18 Mass % Si at 730.degree.
C..fwdarw.Purifying the Melt (Degassing, Slag
Removal).fwdarw.Applying Ultrasonic Vibration (20 kHz, 20
.mu.m).fwdarw.Waiting for 20 Seconds after 577.degree. C. is
Reached.fwdarw.Forging.
Application Example 6
Production of Billet for Semisolid Forming
[0079] Melting an Al-18 Mass % Si at 730.degree.
C..fwdarw.Purifying the Melt (Degassing, Slag
Removal).fwdarw.Applying Ultrasonic Vibration (20 kHz, 20
.mu.m).fwdarw.Waiting for 20 Seconds after 577.degree. C. is
Reached.fwdarw.Quenching.
[0080] When Application Example 5 is employed, a forging product
that has a microstructure as shown in FIG. 3C is achieved. As a
result, a high-strength forging product can be obtained. When
Application Example 6 is employed, a high-strength casting product
can be obtained by remelting the billet for semisolid forming and
carrying out semisolid casting.
[0081] As described in the above Application Examples, it is
possible to provide a casting product or forging product with
further improved mechanical characteristics by effectively
utilizing the crystal in which primary crystal Si or the like has
been crystallized.
[0082] When a metal melt in the cooling process is solidified under
ultrasonic vibration (sono-solidified), the microstructure is
refined and improvement of the mechanical properties can be
expected. Since refinement of crystal grains is almost synonymous
with increase in the number of solidification nuclei, stirring of
the melt, in other words, ultrasonic acoustic stream, promotes
separation of crystal nuclei from the mold wall surfaces, which
contributes to the increase in the number of crystal nuclei. In
addition, as described above, when a hypoeutectic or hypereutectic
Al--Si alloy melt was sono-solidified, refinement of .alpha.-Al
phase or Si grains in the primary crystal was observed. Moreover,
in the microstructure obtained by sono-solidifying a hypereutectic
Al--Si alloy melt, crystallization of the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al
phase, which cannot be predictable from the equilibrium diagram,
was observed in addition to the refined primary crystal Si grains.
Therefore, when a hypoeutectic or hypereutectic Al--Si alloy melt
is sono-solidified, refinement of Si grains is achieved in either
case, and the resulting alloy has improved mechanical
characteristics, in particular, improved abrasion resistance. As
the ingot that is used as the melt, a hypereutectic Al--Si alloy is
more preferred than a hypoeutectic Al--Si alloy for better abrasion
resistance in terms of Si content.
[0083] Based on the assumption that generation and collapse of
ultrasonic cavitation bubbles plays a critical role in
crystallization of the nonequilibrium .alpha.-Al phase, an
experiment was conducted in which melts in the process of
sono-solidification were quenched in water to find its
crystallization mechanism. As a result, it was found possible to
produce an alloy that has excellent mechanical characteristics by
utilizing the crystallization mechanism.
[0084] The production method for obtaining a microcrystalline
structure that has been described in this embodiment is not limited
to the application to Al--Si alloys, and it is possible to create a
microcrystalline structure in other alloys, such as Al--Mg and
Mg--Zn binary and ternary alloys, by applying the production method
according to the present invention. Note that, in a Mg--Zn alloy, a
fine primary crystal is .alpha.-Mg. Examples of an Al--Mg alloy
include not only a binary Al--Mg alloy but also a ternary alloy
that contains Al, Mg and another metal. Examples of a Mg--Zn alloy
include not only a binary Mg--Zn alloy but also a ternary alloy
that contains Mg, Zn and another metal. In each of these alloys, a
primary crystal is a generally spherical crystal.
[0085] A material that has improved abrasion resistance can be
produced from a hypereutectic Al--Si (Si: 12% or higher) alloy
melt. For example, members that requires less plating, surface
coating or the like can be obtained by casting or forging.
[0086] Since an ultrasonic vibration apparatus is used as one
example of the apparatus that applies pressure to the melt, a local
pressure rise that is induced by the application of ultrasonic
vibration occurs in the melt, and an eutectic point displacement
effect (increase in eutectic temperature, increase in Si element
saturation temperature) is obtained. As a result, primary crystal
.alpha.-Al can be obtained easily, and the solidification structure
can be controlled into any desired state.
[0087] When primary crystal .alpha.-Al or granular Si crystal which
has been crystallized is solidified by a cooling step in which the
melt is solidified by rapid quenching, a crystalline structure that
has both abrasion resistance and high toughness (grain refining)
can be obtained.
* * * * *